Sports

Men’s Water Polo Lose Second Game of Tournament

Sasha Funes | Sports Editor

On Friday, Oct. 21, the Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsairs men’s water polo team played their second match of the day against the San Diego Mesa College Olympians. Though the Corsairs seemed to keep pace with the Olympians for most of the game, even outperforming them in the fourth quarter, it ultimately wasn’t enough for the win and the Corsairs lost 19-16.

San Diego got the first point of the game just under a minute in, and SMC utility Carlos Ramirez tied it, assisted by driver Mikhai Davis, about 30 seconds later. San Diego was able to score again and maintain the lead, while Ramirez would go on to assist fellow utility Dylan Hughes and score once more in the quarter. All three at some point were ejected from the quarter, along with Driver Kristian Miranda and Utility James Cavanaugh. The quarter would end at 5-3, San Diego leading.

Ramirez and Davis would each get a goal in the second quarter, Ramirez unassisted and Davis assisted by Utility Zaliyah Quant. San Diego strengthened their lead adding five more points in the quarter as SMC fouled frequently against the Olympians. The Olympians continued strong into the third quarter, adding seven more points while SMC gained some ground and got five points, two each from Miranda and Ramirez and one from Utility Leo Farias, but three ejections, closing out the third quarter at 17-10.

SMC displayed a strong defensive performance in the fourth quarter as they were able to hold San Diego to just two points in the quarter. Davis shined in the quarter with three goals, and Ramirez, Quant, and Utility Jackson Wheeler would each get a goal of their own. Hughes would receive one more ejection in the game, totaling nine total ejections for SMC. The solid performance would unfortunately not be enough and the Corsairs would lose, making them 8-14 on the season and 0-5 at home.

The Corsairs next games will span over two days as it’s the Dia de Los Muertos Tournament at Southwestern College. Two games will be played on Friday, Oct. 28, the first will be against Cypress College at 11:20 a.m., and the second at 2:50 p.m. against Fullerton College. The following day they’ll play San Diego Miramar College at 9 a.m. and Grossmont College at 1:40 p.m.

Ethan Swope | The Corsair

Corsairs Lost 19-16

Above, Santa Monica College goalie Nolan McBride (1A) defends the goal.

Below, San Diego Mesa goalie Dominic Bravo (1B) defends the goal from Santa Monica College player Carlos Ramires (21)

Comeback Queens Back at it Again

Nicholas McCall | The Corsair Members of the Santa Monica College Corsairs Women's Volleyball team celebrate scoring another point, while members of the Citrus College Owls don't, during the women's volleyball match on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022, at Corsair Gym in Santa Monica, Calif. The Corsairs won 3-2.

Sasha Funes | Sports Editor

The Santa Monica College (SMC) Corsairs women’s volleyball team played against the Citrus College Owls at home on Wednesday, Oct. 19. SMC entered the game with a 13-4 season record and a solidified second place spot in the Western State Conference (WSC) South with a 4-1 record. The Owls held a 6-12 overall record and a 2-3 WSC record prior to the game. On paper the Corsairs looked like the clear winner, but the game proved that to be difficult.

Citrus scored the game's first point through an SMC attacking error. From there the game was back and forth between Citrus taking a minor lead and SMC tying it up. The Corsairs broke a 6-6 tie through an attacking error by the Owls and were able to take the lead from there. Kills, service errors, attack errors and a few aces helped the Corsairs hold onto their substantial first set lead, closing it out at 25-18.

SMC started the scoring off in the second set and it seemed to be going well for them as they quickly got to a five point lead. The Owls had other plans though and rallied enough to tie the set at seven points apiece and take the lead from there. They at some point held a six point lead over the Corsairs but just as the Owls, SMC battled back and tied the set at 22 points apiece. They were able to get one more point but ultimately Citrus secured the second set 25-23.

The third set started off similar to the second with the Corsairs taking the early lead. Both teams exchanged leads a few times before the Owls were able to keep it and secure the set 2522. Kills, service errors, and attack errors fueled the Corsairs offense in the fourth set to get a strong and early lead. They never allowed the Owls to get close so the Corsairs successfully closed out the fourth set at 25-12.

The final set, shortened to 15 points, saw the Corsairs with an early 5-0 lead. Citrus wasn’t going to let SMC take the game so easily, however, and they managed to tie the set at nine points apiece. They tied the set once more at ten, but failed to take the lead and SMC seized the fifth set 15-13, and the game 3-2.

Middle Blocker Maiella Riva reflected postgame on the win. Riva acknowledged a change in blocks and passes helped propel them to their comeback win, and how she herself could’ve made a difference with some blocks and touches she didn’t execute correctly. She knew the game shouldn’t have been as difficult as it was, but she was proud of the team for the win and the improvement they’ve made throughout the season as a whole.

“I’ve come a long way. The whole team has come a long way. Our coach is awesome, Christian is the best,” Riva said. “I’ve learned so much in such a short amount of time."

Middle Blocker Rain Martinez reflected on the win as well. Same as Riva, she knew the game shouldn’t have gone on as long as it did. Communication and being more aggressive were things she acknowledged could’ve been improved throughout the game to make it easier. She was excited with the win overall and ready to keep practicing new tactics to improve her gameplay and keep seeing improvement with the team as a whole.

The Women’s Volleyball team’s record is now 14-5 overall and 5-2 in the WSC South. Their next game game will be a home game on Wednesday, Oct. 26 against the West Los Angeles College Wildcats. Last time they faced off the Corsairs got the upper hand in a 3-2 victory.